How many women hold leadership roles in the yacht charter industry?

• 08.03.2024.
• News

We are celebrating International Women's Day and will look at the women employed in the Croatian yacht charter. Isn't today an ideal day to congratulate her on her hard work and express your support to your charter colleague? Or even take concrete steps at the management level - promote a woman to a better position? Or give her the salary she deserves?

Despite all the epithets surrounding it, Croatia's yacht charter industry, as the largest, most substantial, and fastest-growing fleet in the Mediterranean, still has its shortcomings.  
   
One of them is gender equality, which basically means that everyone has (or should have) equal chances to realise their potential, regardless of gender. This includes equal access to education, work, and health care and equal representation in politics, economy and society.  
   
Despite all the abundance Croatia offers as an indispensable nautical destination, the yacht charter industry is not balanced.  
   
Statistics show that only 8% of women actively work in the charter sector, either as skippers, hostesses, or cleaners.  
   
As we celebrate International Women's Day today, we are free to discuss the representation or lack of representation of women in leading positions.  
   
Even smaller (and more devastating) data is that of those 8%, only 5% of women are in management positions in the Croatian yacht charter.  
   
So women are a rarity, endemics and curiousities in responsible and decisive positions in the Croatian yacht charter.  
   
This insight into the state of affairs certainly gives us a topic we must consider carefully. Changes are needed.  
   
With this knowledge that changes are needed, on today's date, which marks the strength and perseverance of all working women - we want to give special recognition to all women in the yacht charter, especially those in management positions.  
   

Women in the Croatian yacht charter - more important than statistical data  

The importance of the presence of women in the Croatian yacht charter goes beyond mere numbers and statistics, however small they may be.  
   
The presence of women in the yacht charter is not only a matter of fairness but can also have practical advantages.  
   
These advantages include a more comprehensive range of perspectives and ideas. Ideas lead to the creation of new, fresh ideas, which in turn lead to improved services.  
   
Isn't that precisely the goal? Top service in Croatian yacht charter.  
   
Likewise, companies that promote diversity are often more attractive to clients and potential employees. From a business perspective, diversity is one solution to encourage growth and success in this competitive market.  
   
What is this diversity but insurance for preserving every industry, including the Croatian yacht charter, often anchored deeply in tradition and established working methods?  
   
The importance of women in the yacht charter industry is multifaceted, and here, we are not only talking about skippers and hostesses or women who clean the vessel, as is usually the case.  
   
Women who have taken the helm of yacht charter companies and work in leading positions make the entire yacht charter industry stronger and more resilient.  
   
Therefore, the representation of women in the Croatian yacht charter is not only a question of equality - it is imperative for development and long-term success.  

  

Obstacles to women in the yacht charter industry  

Being in a leadership position is a challenge for everyone, and especially for women. Women face several obstacles that others may not even meet.  
   
In their working environment, women often do not find the flexibility to coordinate professional and private obligations.  

"We expect women to work as if they don't have children and raise children as if they don't."  

One of the most visible obstacles is stereotypes that set unnecessary boundaries and suggest that specific roles or sectors are 'reserved' for men.  
   
The assumption is that women are less capable of managing large teams or making complex business decisions.  
   
Limited access to mentoring, support, and visibility is also a problem. In this industry, women have a hard time finding their place. Often, the reason is existing prejudices or the "exclusivity" of certain groups in the industry.  
   
The working environment is also not always encouraging for women, especially for those in leadership positions. Our organisational culture mostly favours male approaches to leadership due to some outdated opinions or habits.  
   
Croatia, like the rest of the modern world, faces a paradox: women are paid less than men for the same conditions and job positions.  
   
Given that we are all aware that the value of women is diminished, and their role is always smaller than the role of men - isn't it time for changes?  
   
Can nautical and yacht charter be the industry that will initiate this change?  

 

Success stories - women who "sail" in the nautical and yacht charter sector  

As much as we want to or don't admit this fact, nautical and yacht charter management positions are mostly reserved for men.  
   
However, some women broke through the "glass ceiling" and became real examples of leadership in the yacht charter industry.  
   
These successful women not only "took the helm" into their own hands but also charted a route for future generations of women who strive for the same goals.  
   
Some women in the Croatian yacht charter came to the position of director starting from the very beginning, as a hostess on a yacht or similar. Step by step, through tireless work, they are owners or directors of yacht charter companies today. Their journey to the top inspires all women and proves that goals are achievable, regardless of obstacles.  
   
We know some women who decided to start a yacht charter agency with a new approach to the market during the worst times of the pandemic. The challenges they faced did not only involve finding investors or breaking into a competitive market. These were mainly prejudices like "Look, a woman in the yacht charter".  
   
We also know maritime school directors who tirelessly try to bring nautical education closer to everyone, especially young people.  
   
All these women, together with their colleagues, work persistently to spread the word about our yacht charter and the beauty of our country and to prepare and educate the new generations to come.  
   
Although the women in the yacht charter will say how they encountered the support of their colleagues, we also have to ask the question - why are there so few women in the yacht charter in Croatia?  

  

Steps towards change in Croatian nautical and yacht charter  

Every change comes slowly.  
   
It is essential to create a structure and start steps that will enable more equal participation to increase women's representation in leading positions in the yacht charter industry.  
   
The first step could be to develop a mentoring program that would give women access to the experiences and knowledge of successful industry leaders.  
   
For example, organising meetings and panels where experienced professionals share their stories and advice.  
   
Changes in the employment policy are also necessary. Yacht charter companies should develop transparent recruitment procedures, eliminate unconscious biases and not deter potential female candidates.  
   
Every company, including those dealing with yachting and yacht charter, can and must create an environment that promotes gender equality in the workplace.  
   
Likewise, efforts should be made to encourage women to take on leading roles, thereby contributing to a richer and more diverse business culture.  
   
And while the new yacht charter season is almost upon us, the fact is clear to us - the time has come to take responsibility.  
   
The entire yacht charter industry should start creating a more inclusive workspace.  
   
The successes of women in the yacht charter (all those 8%) are an inspiration to everyone, but they also remind us that the road to the goal is still long.  
   
The goal would be internal policy reform, better mentoring programs, and opening the door to support networks to ease these professional challenges for all women.  
   
And especially today, on International Women's Day - we need to be aware of how the yacht charter industry can be transformed by joint efforts into a sector that celebrates diversity and prospers because of it. 

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